Filling-end controller



Dec. 3, 192 1,565,219

A. E. STAFFORD FILLING END CONTROLLER Filed May 20, 19 25 2 Sheets-Sheet l /N VENTO/F" 6 BY Q ATTOIP/VE Y Dec. 8, 1925 7 1,5 ,219

\ A. E. STAFFORD H v FILLING END CONTROLLER Filed ma 20, 1925 v 2 Sheets-Sheet a .ATTORNEK Patented Dec. 8, 1925.

" UNI-TED STATES;

PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED E. STAFFORD, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGKOR TO DRAPER COR- POBATION,OF HOREDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A COBPOBATIOH OF MAINE.

FILLING-END eonrnouinn.

Application filed May 20, 1925. SeriaI No. 31,697.

To all whom it may concern Be it known'that I, ALFRED E. STAFFORD, a citizen of the- United States, residing at Hopedale, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Filling-End Controllers,

of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to filling replenishing looms, and more particularly to filling end controllers for removing the spent filling end on replenishment of filling.

When filling replenishment is effected there is a length of filling or yarn extending from the cloth selvage to the shuttle eye and thence into the shuttle and to the bobbin which is to be ejected, and such filling end must be removed; otherwise it is liable to be carried into the shed on a subsequent pick of the shuttle and form imperfect cloth. Much attention and great inventive skill have been devoted to means for removing the spent filling end, but,

owing to the fugitive character of the filling and its liability to escape the filling end, controller, much refinement of means for removing the spent filling end has been evolved.

In accordance with the present invention means are provided for parting or cutting the spent filling end at a point adjacent the shuttle eye when the shuttle is in replenishing position, and for engaging or clamping the spent filling near the opposite end of the shuttle or at the feeler slot thereof, and withdrawing the s ent filling frontwardly over the edge 0 the front wall of the shuttle box and about the cloth selvage asv a center. In such case of course the usual shuttle feeler thread cutter is not employed, altho in some instances it may be.

In carrying the invention into practical effect the front wall of the shuttle box is provided with an opening adjacent the outer end or eye of the shuttle when in replenishing osition, and an open slot leading from the edge of the front wall of the shuttle box at a point adjacent the feeler slot of the shuttle, and a thread parter is caused to enter the opening adjacent the shuttle eye and part or cut the while a holder or clamp is caused to enter the open slot adjacent the feeler slot of the shuttle and engagethe filling to withdraw 1f)rontwardly over the edge of the shuttle By cutting the filling adjacent the shuttle eye a "short end only remains attached to the bobbin to be ejected, and on ejection thereof passes backwardly thru the eye with the bobbin, while the end leading towards the cloth selvage is withdrawn from the shuttle box'over the top thereof by a clam which engages the filling at a point a jaccnt the feeler slot.

The invention and new combination of parts will best be made clear from the following description and accompanying drawings of one good form thereof.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a perspective view of a loom at the filling replenishing side thereof, having the present invention associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is a detached detail showing more particularly the relation of the cutter and clamp with respect to the associated parts when the shuttle is in replenishing position.

Fig. 3 is a sectional end elevation, showing the relation of parts at about the time replenishment is effected.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective detail showing the cutter as having cut the spent filling adjacent the shuttle eye and the clamp as withdrawing the filling end over the top of the box, and about the cloth selvage as a center.

The loom frame 1 may be of usual construction, and as shown has bearings 2 at each side thereof for the usual transverse or rogkrrshaififi to which is secured an arm 4: having a bifurcated end portion 5 which engages a pin 6 on the shuttle fceler. 7, which latter may be pivotally supported at 8. In the preferred form of the invention the shuttle feeler is not provided with means for cutting the spent filling end, so that when the filling is withdrawn frontwardly by the thread clamp acting upon the filling at the feeler slot, the filling is swung about the cloth selvage as a center to position and hold it for the action of the usual temple thread cutter.

Mounted on the breast beam as usual is .104 1y theinvention, as wil In the present instance the hopper 13 is indicated as of the rota type, but obviousnot restricted to the use of a rotary opper,

as any desired form of hopper may be employed.

Mounted in the arm 12 is the stud or dead 15 shaft 15 on which is mounted the transferrer '16 normally under the influence of a spring 17 for holding it in its up or inactive position. Extending downwardly from the transferrer hub is an arm 20 otally'connected the dog 19 adapted to be engaged by a 4 dog is in operative position to effect replenishment offilling.

Secured to the shuttle feeler is the slotted arm 22 which is engaged by a pin 23 extending from the the dog 19 as usual so that on call for replenishment of filling by rocking movement of the transverse shaft 3 the dog will be positioned-for engagement by the hunter and thru the action of the trans ferrer effect replenishment of filling.

In accordance with the present invention,

the spent filling is to be parted or cut at a point adjacent the shuttle eye and is to be clamped at a point adjacent the feeler slot of the shuttle when the latter is in replenishing position, so that the severed portion of the filling leading to the cloth selvage may be moved outwardly over the top of the shuttle box by the clamp, and' about the cloth selvage as a center.

The lay 21 has a shuttle box 24 at the re-. plenishin end thereof and the front wall 25 of suc shuttle box has an opening 26 which is adjacent the shuttle eye when the latter is in replenishing position. Nearer the inner end of the shuttle box 24 the front wall 25 has an open slot 27 thru which the thread clamp may act to engage the spent fillin at a point adjacentthe feeler slot of the's uttle and thereafter swing the spent fillin end over the top of the shuttle box about the cloth selvage as a center. The front -v'vall 25 of the shuttlebox in the pres .ent instance is shown as secured to the lay by bolts 28, one at each end of the shuttle 'box,'so that the front wall of the shuttle box itself may in such cases be substantially rigid and not weakened by the formation of the opening and slot therein.

Except as to certain details, the structure adapting the thread cutter and thread clamp ,for action upon the filling adjacent the shuttle eye and feeler slot of the shuttle may be of any desired construction, and, as shown,

the hopper 13 in which are" further ap e'ar, is

18 to which is piv.

bunter 20 on the lay 21 when the i AVAILABLE COPY the stubor dead shaft 15 has secured thereto the bracket or support 29 whichmay ex tend downwardl therefrom and be secured "to the stub or ead shaft 15 by a suitable bolt 30. The bracket 29 carries a guide 31 in which is mounted for sliding movement a carrier .32, as the carrier 32 the thread cutter" and thread clamp are connected, as will appear.

' ounted for rocking movement on the dead shaft 15 is a yoke member 33 shown as having two hub portions 34 for-stabilizing the construction and the lower end portion ofthe arm 33- is bifurcated, as indicated at 35, where it engages a pin 36 secured to the carrier 32, the construction being such that upon rocking movement of thearm 33 the carrier 32 with its associated parts will be moved backwardly for thread cutting and clampin operation, as will further appear.

Exten ing laterally from the carrier 32 is a lug or projection 37 having extended therefrom the rod 38 on which is mounted the thread cutter and thread clamp;

The thread cutter comprises a relatively fixed and relatively movable member such, for instance, as thefixed member 39, which may be secured to the rod 38, and the movable member 40 which may have rocking movement on said shaft. The front end portion 41 of the movable cutter member 40 and the front end portion42 of a somewhat corresponding movable member 43 of the clamp are connected by a rod 44 which extends between them. The fixed member 45 of the clamp is secured to the shaft 38 and both the thread cutter and thread clamp may be fixed in their relative position on the shaft 38' by suitable collars 46 and 47, the construction being such that the thread cutter and the thread clamp are in'relatively separated relation, corresponding to the separated relation of the opening 26 in the front wall of the shuttle box and the open slot 27, which are respectively adjacent the shuttle eye and feeler slot of the shuttle when the latter is in replenishing position.

Connected to the arm 33, which is itself connected to the-carrier 32, is an arm 48 (Fig. 1) and having a downward extension 49 which is connected at 50 to a yielding member 50' interposed between the arm 22 of the shuttle feeler and the arm 49, as indicated in Fig. 1, the construction being such that when the shuttle feeler is moved to its rearward shuttle feeling position the arm 33 will be actuated yieldingly to move.

the thread parter and the thread clamp into their rearward operative position.

The bracket 29 has secured thereto adjustably, as indicated at 51, a support having a lateral extension 52 on which 18 mounted a trip 53 located for action upon the rod 44 connected to the movable members of the thread cutter and clamp for opening each of indicated in Fig. 1, and to.

theseelements as they are moved rearwardly to operative position.

When the thread parter and thread clamp have been moved to their rearward operating position, as above indicated, they are each opened to receive between the relatively fixed and movable members of each the spent filling, at which time the thread parter position.

passes thruthe opening 26 adjacent the shuttle eye and the clamp passes thru the open slot 27 adjacent the feeler slot of the shuttle'whenthe latter is in replenishing In order to cause the thread p arter and the thread clamp to function to part the filling adjacent the shuttle eye and clamp it adjacent the feeler slot, any appropriate means may be employed, but a good form of such means to this end consists of an actuator 54* which may be secured to the transferrer 16. The lower end portion 55 of the actuator 54 is turned from the body thereof, and on movement of the transferrer to effect replenishment of filling, acts upon the connecting rod 44. joining the movable members of the thread parter and thread clamp to close the parter and clamp and cause the parter to part the filling adjacent the shuttle eye, and the clamp to clamp the filling adjacent the feeler slot of the shuttle.

As shown, the actuator 54 is adjustably mounted in an arm 56 pivoted at 57 on a bracket 58 which may be appropriately secured to the transferrer 16 by a set screw 59, and interposed between the upstanding arm 60 and a fixed portion 61 of the bracket is a spring 62 which permits a limited amount of yielding movement of the actuator,- should either the thread parter or the thread clamp movable members be obstructed.

In order to limit the rearward movement of the thread parter and thread clamp and to position these parts relatively to the shuttle box in the performance of their parting and clampingaction, a hunter 63 extends rearwardly from the lug or arm 37 mounted on the carrier 32, and such bunter is adapted to engage the front surface .of the lay or front wall of the shuttle box as the parter and the clamp are moved to their rearward functional position, the yielding member 50 at such times afi'ording sufficient yielding connection between the carrier 32 and shuttle feeler.

As shown in the present instance of the invention, the open slot 27 in the front wall of the shuttle box extends from the upper edge of the front wall, with the result that when the thread clamp acts to withdraw the spent filling end from the shuttle box, the

latter will pass over the top of the front wall and swing around the cloth selvage as a center. At this time also the portion of the spent filling leading towards the shuttle eye where it has been cut, will also bewithclamp Qwi thdraws the spent filling end a outwardly, both portions will. move along the inclined walls of the 0 en slot over the edge of the shuttle box an be withdrawn from the dan er zone. This characteristic movement of the s ent filling is facilitated by reason of the act that when the shuttle is in the replenishing position it is mainly engaged by the front wall of the shuttle box at the outer or breast end portion of the shuttle, while sufiicient space is left between the engaged inner surface of the front wall and the adjacent surface of the shuttle to permit the filling end to pass between the two. Should, however, the portion of the filling leading tov the shuttle eye from the thread clamp not have sufiicient room thruout'its entire length to be thus withdrawn over the edge of the shuttle box, it will be drawn longitudinally thru the usual groove formed in the wall of the shuttle itself and the upwardly inclined wall 65 of the open slot 27 will tend, by its inclination, to maintain the end leading to the shuttle eye in the longitudinal groove of the shuttle.

From the construction described as one good practical form of the, invention it will be ap arent that on call for replenishment offilhng, the spent filling will be. parted or cut'at a point adjacent the shuttle eye and will be clamped at a point adjacent the feeler slot of the shuttle when the latter is in replenishing position, and that such spent filling end will be drawn frontwardly across the edge of the shuttle box about the cloth selvage as a center, thus removing the spent filling end completely from a position which might cause it to be drawn into the shed on the subsequent pick of the shuttle.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. In a filling replenishing loom, the'combination of the lay, a shuttle box at the replenishing end of the lay, means for parting the spent filling adjacent the shuttle eye, means for clamping the filling at a point remote from the shuttle eye and adjacent the feeler slot when the shuttle is in replenishing position and removing the clamped portion of the filling over the top of the shuttle box.

2. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of the lay, a shuttle box at the replenishing end of the lay, a cutter near the outer end of the shuttle box to cut the spent filling adjacent the shuttle eye, a

clamp near the inner end of the shuttle box to clamp the splent filling adjacent the feelv or slot when t position and to withdraw the spent filling e shuttle is in replenishing end over the top of the shuttle box.

3. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of the lay, a shuttle box at the replenishing end of the lay, having its front wall provided with an opening. extending downwardly from the top thereof registering .with the feeler slot when the shuttle is in replenishing position, means for parting the spent filling adjacent the shuttle eye, and means for engaging the spent filling adjacent the feeler slot'and withdrawing it over the top of the shuttle box.

4. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of the lay, a shuttle box at the relenishing end thereofhaving an open slot 'in' its front wall registering, with the feeler slot of the shuttle when in replenishing position and an opening near the shuttle eye, means for parting the spent filling adjacent the shuttle eye, and means for engaging the s ent filling adjacent the feeler slot and withdrawing it. over the top of the front wall of the shuttle box.

5. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of the lay, a shuttle box at the replenishing end thereof provided with an open slot inits front wall registering with the feeler slot of the shuttle when in replenishing position, the walls of said slot flaring upwardly, means for parting the spent. filling adjacent the shuttle eye, and means for engaging the spent filling adjacent the feeler slotand withdrawing the engaged filling frontwardly over the top of the shuttle box.

6. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of the lay, a shuttle box at the replenishing end thereof having an opening in its front wall adjacent the shuttle eye when in replenishing position, and an open slot adjacent the feeler slot of'the shuttle, a cutterto cut the spent filling adjacent the shuttle eye, and a clamp for engaging the spent filling at the feeler slot of theishuttlo and withdrawing it frontwardly across the edge of the front wall about-the'cloth selvage as a center.

7. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of the lay, a shuttle box at the replenishing'end thereof having an opening in.

its front wall adjacent the shuttle eye when in replenishing position, and an open slot adjacent the feeler slot of the shuttle, a cutter to cut the spent filling adjacent the shuttle eye, a clamp forengaging the spent filling at the feeler slot of the shuttle and withdrawing it fro'ntwardly across the edge,

of the front wall about the cloth selvage as a center, and a connection extending be'-- tween the cutter and clamp for causing them,

to act in unison.

8. In a filling replenishing loom, the

' combination of the lay, a shuttle'box at the the spent filling thru said open slot and withdraw it across the edge of the front wall of the shuttle box, and means for operating the cutter and clamp.

' 9. In a filling replenishing loom, the com- I binationof the lay, a shuttle box at the replenishing end thereof, having its front wall provided with a slot opening at the edge thereof adjacent the feeler slot of the shuttle when in replenishing position, the

walls of the open slot being inclined, a cutter to cut the spent filling adjacent the shuttle eye, and a clamp to engagethe spent filling thru said open slot and withdraw it across the edge of the front wall of the shuttle box, and means for operating the cutter and clamp.

In testimony whereof,jI have signed my name to this specification.

ALFRED E. STAFFORD. 

